Kathiri Heat Wave Scorches North Tamil Nadu

In what could be a watershed moment for the Kathiri Season in Tamil Nadu yesterday saw Chennai have its hottest day in 2017. While the city observatory in Nungambakkam recorded 42.6°C, hottest day in May since 24th May 2014 the Airport Observatory in Meenambakkam scorched to 43.6°C the highest since May 31 2003 when it recorded 44.8°C. Incidentally this day on 2003 saw the hottest temperature recorded ever for Chennai Nungambakkam a whopping 45°C.

Yesterday’s temperature abnormality chart pretty much sums up the situation for Chennai with both observatories recording 6 degrees above normal confirming the heat wave conditions that gripped the city yesterday. Almost all of the coastal places from Delta districts and up the latitude saw temperature 4 / 5°C above normal. This also sums up the situation in terms of the strength of the Westerlies that is holding sway of the region.

Incidentally Coastal AP along with North Tamil Nadu has been seeing extremely high temperatures with Machilipatnam recording 47.3°C, possibly the highest temperature ever, while Vijayawada, Bapatla & Ongole recorded above 46°C yesterday while many other places like Nellore recorded 45°C

Things though look better for rest of Tamil Nadu with numerical models indicating some marginal respite in terms of temperature while North Tamil Nadu will continue to come under relentless heat attack with possibly another day of Heat Wave conditions prevailing over the districts of Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Pondicherry and the city of Chennai. Other interior districts in West Tamil Nadu like Salem, Erode, Coimbatore could see today’s temperature a degree or two compared to the last few days.

Going by Numerical Models sea breeze could be expected to influence North Coastal Tamil Nadu after 12:30 PM which possibly indicates a similar day for Chennai & suburbs like yesterday with strong surface level Westerlies expected to blow in response to the off shore trough running along the coast from Andhra to South Tamil Nadu. This off shore trough is pretty much the trigger for the current heat wave strengthening the Westerlies in the last few days.

Numerical Models Indicate Another 42 / 43°C day for Chennai and suburbs to be hotter by a degree or so with peak heat wave conditions expected to prevail from 10 AM till about 2 PM. Stay Hydrated, Step out only if necessary Avoid direct exposure to Sun as much as possible.